3D model view of an open-pit mine with a marked alignment line used to extract a terrain cross section and visualize height differences.

Terrain section

A terrain cross section, also called an elevation profile, shows the elevation change along a defined line or alignment. This makes height differences, slopes, gradients, and terrain shapes easy to understand and communicate.

Cross sections are typically derived from a Digital Terrain Model (DTM/DGM). A profile line is defined first, for example along a planned road, a utility corridor, a trench, or a watercourse. The elevation values are then extracted along this line and presented as a profile.

Depending on your requirements, we deliver cross sections as CAD or GIS data as well as a graphical output.

Common file formats:
*.dxf / *.dwg
*.shp
*.jpg

Terrain cross section (elevation profile) extracted from a DTM along a marked line on an orthophoto, shown as a profile chart for slope analysis.
3D view of a terrain profile line through survey data, showing elevation changes used to generate a cross section for CAD or GIS.